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Derina Harvey Band brings their Celtic-rock tunes to Fort McMurray

Last Updated Mar 23, 2017 at 5:52 pm MDT

PHOTO. Supplied. The Darnia Harvey Band is a five piece Celtic-rock group. Left to right, Matt OConnor [fiddle], Ed Smith [bass], Derina Harvey [vocals, guitar], Scott Greene [electric guitar], Steve Pinsent [drums].

The Derina Harvey Band is described as being heartfelt and energetic.

Front runner, Derina Harvey describes them as a five piece, Celtic-rock Group, from the east based in the west.

Harvey is lead vocals and guitar, Scott Greene is on electric guitar, Steve Pinsent on drums, Ed smith on bass and Matt O’Connor on the fiddle with all them contributing to the harmonies.

The group is from all over the east coast from the Placentia and Cornerbrook areas of Newfoundland to Elgin New Brunswick.

Harvey is from Labrador, NFLD.

Herself, Steve Pinsent and Scott Greene met at college in 1998.

One by one they all moved to Edmonton, Alta. to pursue music.

She was playing solo in Edmonton and a venue owner recommended her getting a band.

That is when Harvey assembled the group.

The group is very tied to their culture and roots as they go across the country performing.

“We plant our roots down and make sure we got a good network of friends and family around us and we make it our home and enjoy where we are, sharing our culture wherever we are. That’s what we do, we’re transplanted east coasters,” said Harvey.

 

Derina grew up in a musically family and was on stage since she was young. It comes natural to her to tell the stories of Celtic Music.

The other members of the band grew up with all sorts of different types of music.

“We bring our strengths and try to do what’s best for each songs, we do some pretty rocked up version of things, and some country feels on a few tunes that are Celtic standards. We call it east meets west,” Said Harvey.

The band has had lots of success with two albums out now, the Derina Harvey Band and Rove and Go.

They were even invited on stage to perform with Canadian Icon, Trooper a couple of times as well as Jimmy Rankin and The Trew.

They are very excited to be back in Fort McMurray after a year’s absence. There last performance in the city was on April 23rd, 2016.

“Fort McMurray is definitely a very interesting bubble of people. I’m from a very small town and we’re pretty isolated. When I got to Fort McMurray, everything there seems familiar to me, even the lay of the hills, the way people interact with each other, the kindness the generosity,” said Harvey.

They were scheduled to perform more but when the wild fire caused the city to evacuate they had to cancel those shows.

“Our hearts go out to everybody who had to endure the many multitude of things that people had to go through,” said Harvey, “we missed our Fort McMurray family and we couldn’t be happier or more excited to have a reconnection with them.

Their first performance since the evacuation was set for St. Patrick’s Day at Paddy McSwiggins parking lot party.

Paddy’s is a local pub that was unable to open due to damages after the wildfire.

“They had a very cool fundraiser planned,” said Harvey.

Although the event was cancelled, Harvey said the band will be there when it is rescheduled and is looking forward to it.

“I get to be a part of delivering a bit of music to people to help them relax or to help them get through tough moments or to help them celebrate something and it’s awesome, that is the best part of it,” said Harvey about her upcoming trip to Fort McMurray adding in that she thinks “It’s just great up there.”

The bands main goal is to get people dancing in their seats, clapping along, tapping toes, signing, and having a bit of fun.

“We got lots of music to share so I hope to see lots of people out and hope everybody has a wicked time,” said Harvey.

The all-ages show is scheduled for Friday, March 31st at 8:00 p.m.

The performance will also feature dancers from the Brady Academy of Irish Dance.

Tickets are $33, and can be purchased online or at the Keyano box office.